The owner of a local convenience store has agreed to surrender his alcohol sales license following a no contest plea for selling synthetic marijuana earlier this year.

Soheil Kamal, who owns the Chevron near Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53, entered a nolo contender plea Feb. 11 to possession of counterfeit marijuana and possession of drug-related objects.

According to Dawson County ordinances, an alcohol license is subject to suspension if the business owner is convicted of any criminal violation.

The charges were misdemeanors. For his negotiated plea, Kamal, 29, of Lawrenceville, was sentenced to 11 months on probation.

Ted Cassert, an attorney for the Dawson County commission, said Kamal plans to sell the store by July 14.

If he remains its owner, the alcohol license would be suspended through the end of the year beginning July 14.

A new owner would be required to apply for his or her own alcohol license.

Reached by telephone Monday afternoon, Kamal declined to comment on the matter.

Kamal and 26-year-old employee Azim Hooda were arrested during an undercover sting in August. Local drug officers had received reports the store was selling a form of synthetic marijuana.

In early 2010, Georgia was the first state to ban the drug commonly known as K2, or Spice, which consists of chemically-treated spices that when smoked mimic the effects of marijuana.